Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Wildcat’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Wildcat’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with some yellow and some purple/red in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Wildcat’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Wildcat’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Wildcat’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Wildcat’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘(Hohoemi×JosephHampton×Taisuco Kaaladian)’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent isthe Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘(Malibu Real×amabilis)’,unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Wildcat’ was discovered and selectedby the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a controlled environment in 2007 in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2007 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Wildcat’, which in combination distinguishthis Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are white with some yellow and some purple/red        in the labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Wildcat’, the flowers ofthe female parent ‘(Hohoemi×Joseph Hampton×Taisuco Kaaladian)’ are about11 cm high and the flowers of the male parent ‘(Malibu Real×amabilis)’are about 7 cm high, whereas the flowers of ‘Wildcat’ are about 9 cmhigh.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Wildcat’ can bemeaningfully compared is the Phalaenopsis orchid ‘Telluride’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 25,158). At the base of the lateral sepals of ‘Telluride’ is avague yellow/green mark with red/purple spots. Whereas the lateralsepals of ‘Wildcat’ are white. Also, there is more yellow in the cirrhiof ‘Telluride’ than in the cirrhi of ‘Wildcat’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Wildcat’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Wildcat’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Wildcat’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Wildcat’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Wildcat’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Wildcat’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Wildcat’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Wildcat’is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phaseof ‘Wildcat’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the dayand 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Wildcat’ are a minimum of5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with levelof 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of‘Wildcat’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Wildcat’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘(Hohoemi×Joseph Hampton×Taisuco Kaaladian)’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘(Malibu Real×amabilis)’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture (mericloning).        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-6            mm wide and green in color (RHS 148C); freely branching. It            takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue culture to            initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to top of            highest flower): about 60 cm. Spread: about 60 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Standard; green leaves (RHS 139A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1 to 2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, narrow leaves, slightly point            tip and asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & under side).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 19 to 25 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 6 to 8 mm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 1 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 139A). Under side:            green (RHS 137B).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS N139A). under side: red/purple (RHS 138B).-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 9 to 12.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—About 54 to 57 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 to 6 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Green (RHS N139A) which runs into RHS 139B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 18 mm to 29 mm.            Diameter (at midpoint): about 19 mm to 23 mm. Shape:            egg-shaped. Color: yellow/green (RHS 154C) with a purple            haze (RHS 76D) when almost opening and yellow/green (RHS            145A) with a purple haze (RHS 77B) on newest buds.        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis orchid; see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom):            Height: about 80 mm to 85 mm. Diameter: about 87 mm to            92 mm. Quantity and arrangement: three petals and three            sepals, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped. Apex: oval with two            little waves. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Base:            broadly ovate. Length: about 51 mm. Width: about 42 mm.            Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny. Under surface:            smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): upper side:            white (RHS NN155C). Under side: white (RHS NN155C).            Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent            callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and            base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward            about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is            terminated by 2 filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral            lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe            is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire            and weakly undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 21 mm. Width            (not flattened): about 22 mm. Depth of tube (made from            lateral lobes): about 14 mm. Texture: Upper and under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            Midlobe: upper surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C). On            top in the corners yellow/green (RHS 154B). At the base a            purple haze (RHS N78B) which runs through into the            yellow/green in the corners. Line in the center yellow (RHS            3B) with purple/red stripes and spots (RHS 60A). Under            surface: main color is white (RHS NN155C. At the base purple            (RHS N78B) which runs in the corners into yellow/green (RHS            154B). Lateral lobes: upper surface: main color is white            (RHS NN155C). On the edge yellow (RHS 3B/RHS 154C) and at            the base red/purple stripes (RHS 60A). Under surface: main            color is white (RHS NN155C). At the edge yellow (RHS 3B/RHS            154C) and at the base red/purple (RHS 60A). Cirrhi: long            (about 20 mm) and curly. In between a little point color:            white (RHS NN155C) with yellow tips (RHS 2B). Pestle            (Callosities): Length: about 5 mm. Width (not flattened):            about 6 mm. Color: main color is white (NN155C). Sides and            top are yellow (RHS 7A) with red/purple stripes and spots            (RHS 60A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals. Overall            shape: narrow, elliptical and weakly cupped. Margin: entire            and weakly undulate. Length: about 43 mm. Width: about            28 mm. Apex: oval with a little point. Texture: Upper and            under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            upper surface: dorsal & lateral: white (RHS NN155C). Under            surface: dorsal & lateral: white (RHS NN155C).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 34 mm. Diameter: about 4 mm. Texture:            glabrous and smooth. Color: at the base yellow/green (RHS            146B), in the middle yellow/green (RHS 145C) and close to            flower yellow/green (RHS 145D) with a purple haze (RHS 77D).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 10 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155D).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 1 mm. Color: orange            (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm. Diameter: about 6 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155D), with sometimes a little bit of purple on            the edges (RHS N80B).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Wildcat’, as illustrated and described herein.